Sportwerks Recoil Tuning Guide

by Mike Shelby

Introduction:

• ·        The 1/14th scale recoil is an affordable way to get into on-road touring cars. It offers most tuning options you would find on a 1/10th scale touring chassis in a smaller package, providing big time racing excitement.
• ·        There are two versions of the recoil available The Ready to Run and Pro edition.

 

RTR Features:

• Everything you need  to go racing
• 370 size sportwerks motor
• Shaft-driven 4WD system with front and rear differentials
• Sportwerks 2ch. Radio system
• Electronic speed control, receiver and servo installed
• Lightweight fiberglass chassis
• Full ball bearings
• Oil filled coil over shocks
• Pre glued and mounted rubber tires
• Prepainted Mazda body

 

Pro Edition Features:

• Graphite Chassis and upper deck for increased performance
• Front and rear ball differentials
• Blue anodized slide motor mount/brace for easy gear adjustments and added strength and cooling
• CV's reduce drag and improve performance
• Anodized turnbuckles for easy camber and toe adjustments
• Blue aluminum threaded shock bodies
• Clear pre-cut Mazda 6 body
• You must provide all electronics

Performance:

Tires: The stock rubber tires provided in both kits are suitable for racing but with the availability of foam tires, foams are the way to go for carpet racing.

Motor: The Sportwerks stock motor provides a decent amount of power. Speeders also has a reasonably priced brushless system that seems to work really well.

Gearing: The stock spur gear is what everybody is running and is just about right for the on-road layout at speeders. Pinion gears on the other hand vary on the stock motor a 10 tooth pinion is what works for me. On the brushless setup I believe there is a gear rule limiting you to a 12 tooth pinion.

Transmission: The ball diffs in the pro kit require a little attention to run smoothly. Before tearing into them to smooth it out I recommend at least running the car a total of twenty minutes to see how much it will free itself up.

Batteries: You will definitely want to have two or more battery packs for racing to increase the packs lifespan. The venom 1200’s and Integy 1200’s are what I have found work best for me.

Suspension: For better handling I highly recommend lowering the chassis ride height. On the front simply turn the bottom links on the shock shafts until there are only a couple of threads showing. For the rear you will need to disassemble the shock bodies and add a spacer underneath the piston. If the car is loose you should try a lighter weight shock shock oil in the rear or stiffening up the tension on the front springs. If the car is tight  stiffen tension on the rear springs and use lower weight shock oil in the front.

Overview: All in all the recoil is a great kit that offers hours of fun and you can’t go wrong with either version. If you want on-road racing excitement the recoil is a great way to get started.